REGISTERED REPUBLICANS (43.6%) OUTNUMBERED DEMOCRATS (43.5%) IN OKLAHOMA FOR THE FIRST TIME IN STATE HISTORY. IN OKLAHOMA 60.3% 58% 60.1% 56.

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2 VOTINGFACTS 58.5% % % % 2012 GENERAL TURNOUT DATA Oklahoma general voter turnout ranked 48th of the 50 states in the 2012 presidential election. Oklahoma s ranking was down from the previous three presidential elections, 44th in 2008, 37th in 2004, and 30th in *percentages have an error rate of 2.3% to 2.6% 62.3% % 2014 IN2015 REGISTERED REPUBLICANS (43.6%) OUTNUMBERED DEMOCRATS (43.5%) IN OKLAHOMA FOR THE FIRST TIME IN STATE HISTORY. WOMEN VERSUS MEN IN OKLAHOMA WOMEN GAINED THE RIGHT TO VOTE IN OKLAHOMA IN 1918, THE TWENTY-FIRST STATE. 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% % 56.6% % 56.5% % 58% % OKLAHOMA 2012 ELECTION 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% WOMEN VOTERS 58.8% 2008 VOTERS BY RACE OKLAHOMA ENTIRE U.S % 54.6 % 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% This chart depicts the percentage of eligible voter turnout by race. * Asian voters numbered less than 75,000, a figure too small to determine voting statistics in Oklahoma. 54.8% % WHITE BLACK HISPANIC MEN VOTERS 49.8% 28.7 % 62.2 % 66.2 % 48.0 % HOW OKLAHOMA VOTED IN THE 2012 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION By AGE OKLAHOMA VOTED FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IN ALL BUT TWO ELECTIONS FROM STATEHOOD IN 1907 TO SINCE 1948, OKLAHOMA VOTED FOR THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IN EVERY ELECTION EXCEPT THE 1964 ELECTION OF DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT LYNDON B. JOHNSON % % % % %

3 2016OKLAHOMA VOTERGUIDE Welcome to the 2016 Oklahoma Voter Guide THE GIFT OF DEMOCRACY It s your turn. he gift of democracy is that it puts you back in charge every Election Day. he decisions you and a majority of your fellow voters make result in a fresh mandate to the representatives you elect, and the direct enactment or rejection of a proposed new law or constitutional amendment. Nobody s vote weighs any more than yours, or any less. It s a collective reset button, and you get to punch it. Regrettably, too many Oklahomans have been leaving it up to others. Oklahoma voter turnout has declined significantly in recent years. Participation has fallen nationwide, too. Only 34.2 percent of Oklahoma s registered voters took part in the 2014 gubernatorial election, the lowest percentage since Oklahoma didn t begin tracking statewide voter registration totals until Participants in a recent national survey cited numerous reasons for not voting, including dislike of candidates, a general lack of interest, and a belief their vote doesn t matter. But the most common explanation was that they considered themselves too busy or had time conflicts. Too busy for democracy? Too uninterested to take part? Maybe it s time to reconsider. State voters showed more enthusiasm a century ago. In Oklahoma s first election, held two months before statehood took eff ect in 1907, about 18 percent of the state s population cast ballots. At the time, only men over the age of 21 could vote. In 2014, when women and men over the age of 18 could cast ballots, only 34.2 percent of the state s citizen population did so. Oklahoma women won the right to vote in 1918, two years before the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified. Eighteen-year-olds received the right to vote in If participation had kept pace with eligibility, the participation rate should have doubled. Each Oklahoman s 2016 general election ballot will include federal, state, and local elections. his is a presidential election year. One US Senate seat will be decided, along with all four US House delegates. Votes will be cast in many Oklahoma Senate and House districts. Voters will decide whether to retain two Oklahoma Supreme Court justices, and several judges on the Court of Criminal Appeals and Court of Civil Appeals. he governor s offi ce and most other statewide elected positions will not appear on the ballot until Voter turnout is typically higher in presidential election years. It also tends to be higher in years when more incumbents have opponents, which is the case this year. Another draw is the presence of seven state questions on the ballot. hey address a range of issues: death-penalty execution methods, agriculture, education funding, law enforcement (two questions), public spending for religious purposes, and the overhaul of our state alcohol laws. Democracy isn t perfect. Voters sometimes lament the choices they make. But at least they earned the right to feel regret. One of the better arguments for taking part in the process of democracy is self-protection: Elections belong to the people, Abraham Lincoln reportedly said. It s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, they will just have to sit on their blisters. Election Day is Tuesday, November 8. Protect your backside. Take the time to study your options and finish making your choices. his voter guide our gift to you is designed to help OKLAHOMA VOTER GUIDE 1

4 Election Day & VOTINGINFORMATION HERO IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES SELFIE CONTROL Made popular by our younger generation, the selfie has be ome a orm o sel e ression a ross so ial lat orms and digital media ven in the oliti al s here, selfies have been used to boast ivi engagement as voters roudl ose ith i oni oted sti ers, or their mar ed ballot in the voting booth, better no n as the ballot selfie As le tion a a roa hes, it is im ortant or voters to no ho these means o e ression fit ithin state la s hough there is no ederal la banning the ballot selfie, ea h state defines its o n guidelines regarding the use o media in a olling la e n lahoma, tatute 7 0 states that it is illegal to share our mar ed ballot hile voting, and a ording to tatute 7 re orters and hotogra hers ma not hotogra h an voter mar ing a ballot in a olling la e e am shire s ban on ballot hotos as stru do n b a ederal udge in 0 5, rom ting the state to a eal the de ision and fight against the ballot selfie on e more n turn, so ial media giant na hat filed an ami us brie in the ase in A ril, stating its on ern that anti ballot selfie regulation in ringes u on irst Amendment rights he lahoma tate le tion oard re om mends that voters should not hotogra h their mar ed ballot and ost their ballot selfie to so ial media, but, there is no legal enalt or doing so o ever, ta ing a hoto o another voter s mar ed ballot is illegal and ould lead to riminal harges THE 2016 GENERAL ELECTION WILL BE HELD TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, FROM 7 A.M. TO 7 P.M. Q: WHICH RACES WILL APPEAR ON BALLOTS ACROSS THE STATE? he US Presidency. One US Senate seat, four US House seats, and seven state questions. Many seats in the Oklahoma Senate and Oklahoma House of Representatives. Retention votes for seven members of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, the Court of Criminal Appeals, and the Court of Civil Appeals. At the county level, many court clerks, county clerks, county sheriff s and county commissioners. In some locations, municipal offi cials and local bond issues. Q: DO I NEED TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT ALL OF THOSE? No. You can cast as many or as few votes as you like. If you only vote in one race or on one state question, that vote will still count. Q: WHERE CAN I FIND A SAMPLE BALLOT LISTING MY CHOICES? By the end of September, individualized sample ballots are available on the State Election Board website, elections. ok.gov. County election boards provide sample ballots, too. Q: WHY ISN T MY SENATE OR HOUSE DISTRICT ON THE BALLOT? If a candidate ran unopposed or faced only same-party opposition, he or she has been elected and will not appear on the November 8 ballot. In addition, only half of the Oklahoma Senate s forty-eight seats are aff ected by this year s elections. Q: WHY AREN T THE GOVERNOR AND OTHER STATEWIDE OFFICIALS ON THE BALLOT? Most of them will appear on the 2018 ballot. One Corporation Commissioner was re-elected automatically this year when her opponent withdrew from the race. Q: WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE? All Oklahoma residents who are US citizens, at least eighteen years old, legally competent, and not subject to a current felony sentence. A convicted felon is allowed to vote in Oklahoma after their original sentence is completed. Q: WHERE CAN I VOTE? On Election Day, only in the precinct where you re registered. For a list of precinct polling places and other voter information, visit the Oklahoma State Election Board website, elections.ok.gov. Q: WILL I NEED IDENTIFICATION WHEN I GO VOTE? Generally speaking, yes. You may present valid photo identification issued by federal, state, or tribal authorities, such as a driver s license or passport. If you do not have a photo ID, you can present your voter identification card. If you have no identification, you may cast a provisional ballot accompanied by a sworn affi davit OKLAHOMA VOTER GUIDE

5 2016OKLAHOMA VOTERGUIDE Q: CAN I BRING A SAMPLE BALLOT OR WRITTEN NOTES TO HELP ME WHEN I VOTE? Yes, but don t show them to anyone at your polling place or while you are voting. Our cheat sheet on page 17 can help. Q: I HAVE A FULL-TIME JOB. IS MY EMPLOYER REQUIRED TO LET ME GO VOTE? Oklahoma employers must provide employees with up to two hours of paid time to vote on Election Day, unless their shifts give them plenty of time to do so before or after work. You must notify your employer of your intention to vote at least one day before the election. Q: HOW CAN I CHANGE MY REGISTRATION NAME, ADDRESS, OR POLITICAL AFFILIATION? You ll need to submit a new voter registration form with the correct information. You can t make changes in your voter registration online or by telephone. Q: I M REGISTERED IN ONE PLACE IN OKLAHOMA BUT I AM ATTENDING SCHOOL OR VISITING SOMEONE IN ANOTHER PART OF THE STATE, CAN I VOTE THERE? If you will be away from the precinct where you re registered, you might consider voting by absentee ballot or participating in early voting prior to November 8. Q: CAN I CAST MY VOTE IN PERSON BEFORE NOVEMBER 8? Yes. Early voting occurs at your county election board from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on h u r s d a y a n d F r i d a y, N o v e m b e r 3 a n d 4, a n d 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 5. Q: CAN I VOTE BY ABSENTEE BALLOT? Yes. You can request an absentee ballot before 5 p.m. Wednesday, November 2. Requests can be submitted online, downloaded from the State Election Board website, or obtained from your county election board. Q: HOW DO I TURN IN MY ABSENTEE BALLOT? he state will begin distributing absentee ballots on Friday, September 23. Completed ballots must be returned by mail to your county election board and received no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day, November 8. Q: WILL I NEED TO GET MY ABSENTEE BALLOT NOTARIZED? Yes, unless you are in the military, living overseas, physically incapacitated, providing care to an incapacitated person, or confined to a nursing home or veteran s center. Q: IS IT TOO LATE TO SWITCH PARTIES? You can change your party affi liation or register as an independent until Friday, October14. Doing so will not aff ect your ballot choices on November 8, because the primary election season has passed. Q: MAY I WRITE IN THE NAME OF ANOTHER CANDIDATE IF I DON T LIKE THE BALLOT CHOICES? Write-in candidates are not counted in Oklahoma elections. Q: WHERE ELSE CAN I GO FOR INFORMATION? he State Election Board website is a good place to start: elections.ok.gov. County election boards also provide election information. THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER is Friday, October 14. You can download a registration form from the State Election Board website or pick one up at your county election board, post offices, tag agencies, libraries, and other public locations. You will need to mail or deliver the completed form to your county election board. WHAT IF I HAVE PROBLEMS OR WITNESS POSSIBLE VOTER IRREGULARITIES ON ELECTION DAY? You should call the State Election Board at or your county election board. These national hotlines also might be able to help: OUR-VOTE VEY-VOTA (Spanish Language) API-VOTE (Asian Languages) 2016 OKLAHOMA VOTER GUIDE 3

6 House and Senate FEDERALELECTIONS KEY (D) DEMOCRAT (R) REPUBLICAN (L) LIBERTARIAN (I) INDEPENDENT ( ) INCUMBENT TEXAS CIMARRON UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE UNITED STATES SENATOR JAMES LANKFORD ( ) (R) R O B E RT T. M U R P H Y ( L ) MIKE WORKMAN (D) MARK T. BEARD (I) S E A N B R A D DY ( I ) ALFALFA KAY OTTAWA BEAVER GRANT NOWATA CRAIG HARPER WOODS OSAGE GARFIELD NOBLE WOODWARD ROGERS MAYES MAJOR DELAWARE PAWNEE ELLIS 3 1 PAYNE TULSA DEWEY BLAINE CREEK WAGONER CHEROKEE KINGFISHER LOGAN ROGER MILLS CUSTER LINCOLN OKMULGEE ADAIR MUSKOGEE OKLAHOMA CANADIAN OKFUSKEE SEQUOYAH MCINTOSH BECKHAM WASHITA CLEVELAND SEMINOLE CADDO 5 HASKELL GRADY HUGHES GREER KIOWA PITTSBURG MCCLAIN LATIMER LEFLORE HARMON COMANCHE PONTOTOC 4 GARVIN 2 JACKSON COAL STEPHENS MURRAY TILLMAN PUSHMATAHA JOHNSTON ATOKA COTTON CARTER MCCURTAIN JEFFERSON MARSHALL CHOCTAW LOVE BRYAN DISTRICT 1* JIM BRIDENSTINE ( ) (R) MARKWAYNE MULLIN ( ) (R) DISTRICT 2 JOSHUA HARRIS-TILL (D) JOHN MCCARTHY (IND.) FRANK D. LUCAS ( ) (R) DISTRICT 3 FRANKIE ROBBINS (D) TOM COLE ( ) (R) DISTRICT 4 SEVIER WHITE (L) CHRISTINA OWEN (D) STEVE RUSSELL ( ) (R) DISTRICT 5 ZACHARY KNIGHT (L) AL MCAFFREY (D) * US Representative Bridenstine is running unopposed, therefore he will not appear on the ballot for District 1. POTTAWATOMIE WASHINGTON GAGE SKIDMORE GAGE SKIDMORE UNITED STATES PRESIDENT REPUBLICAN PARTY Donald Trump is the 2016 nominee for the Republican Party. He is the chairman and president of the Trump Organization, a real estate developer, author, and former reality television personality. Trump s running mate is the current governor of Indiana, Mike Pence. LIBERTARIAN PARTY Gary Johnson is the 2016 nominee for the Libertarian Party. Johnson is a former two-term Republican governor of New Mexico. In 2012, Johnson was the presidential nominee for the Libertarian Party. Johnson s running mate is Bill Weld, the former two-term Republican governor of Massachusetts. DEMOCRATIC PARTY Hillary Clinton is the 2016 nominee for the Democratic Party. Previously, Clinton served as secretary of state, a US senator from New York, and as first lady of the United States during Bill Clinton s two terms as president. Clinton s running mate is the current US senator from Virginia, Tim Kaine. Ballot order is drawn every two years, most recently in July For this year s ballot, Republicans are listed first, then Libertarians, then Democrats OKLAHOMA VOTER GUIDE

7 Judicial & State Executive Office STATEELECTIONS 2016OKLAHOMA VOTERGUIDE JUDICIAL RETENTION SEVEN STATE-LEVEL JUDGES ARE UP FOR RETENTION ON THE BALLOT. WHEN A JUDGE IS UP FOR RETENTION, A VOTE OF YES OR NO IS RECORDED ON WHETHER TO EXTEND THEIR TERM. EACH JUSTICE OR JUDGE IS VOTED ON SEPARATELY, THEY ARE NOT RUNNING AGAINST EACH OTHER. OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT h e O k l a h o m a S u p r e m e C o u r t i s t h e s t a t e c o u r t o f last resort for civil matters. It is composed of nine justices, who serve six-year terms. JAMES R. WINCHESTER, District 5 DOUGLAS L. COMBS, District 8 COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS Oklahoma is one of two states with multiple supreme courts, (Iowa is the other). he Court of Criminal Appeals is the state court of last resort for criminal matters. CARLENE CLANCY SMITH, District 1 ROB HUDSON, District 2 COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS he Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals is an intermediate appellate court. he Oklahoma Supreme Court may release this lesser court s opinions for publication, thus granting these cases precedent value. P. THOMAS THORNBRUGH, Offi ce 1 JOHN FISCHER, Offi ce 2 LARRY JOPLIN, Offi ce 2 STATE EXECUTIVE OFFICE There will not be any State Executive offi ces on the ballot for the 2016 election. Elections for governor, attorney general, lieutenant governor and other state executive offi ces will be held in One position on the board of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission was set to be on the November 2016 ballot. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission is an executive board of the Oklahoma state government, consisting of three elected offi cials focusing on the regulation of fuel, oil and gas, public utilities and transportation industries. Republican incumbent Dana Murphy runs unopposed for re-election and thus has been elected by default OKLAHOMA VOTER GUIDE 5

8 House and Senate STATEELECTIONS KEY (D) DEMOCRAT (R) REPUBLICAN (L) LIBERTARIAN (I) INDEPENDENT ( ) INCUMBENT HOUSE DISTRICTS MAP Oklahoma City Metro STATE HOUSE CIMARRON 9 DISTRICT DEMOCRAT REPUBLICAN OTHER DISTRICT DEMOCRAT REPUBLICAN OTHER 01 ohnn adlo Steven McGowen 35 ennis ase 02 Tom Stites ohn ennett 36 Cathy Ross ean oberts 03 Troy Dyer Rick West e e arrison 37 teve aughan 04 Matt Meredith Bob Ed Culver 38 ohn ei er 05 Matt Nowlin Josh West 39 Ryan Martinez lar u e 06 hu os in 40 Pierce Jones had ald ell 07 en oring Hoguen Apperson 41 ohn nns 08 Darrell L. Moore Tom Gann 42 Liz George Tim Downing 09 ar e a 43 Mike Bounds ohn aul ordan ooner aven ort 10 Eric Epperson ravis unla 44 mil irgin 11 arl ears 45 laudia ri fith Marc Etters 12 Darla Milligan Kevin McDugle 46 Jacob Rosecrants ott artin 13 Wayne Herriman Avery Carl Frix 47 O.A. Cargill eslie sborn 14 Lee Ann Langston eorge aught 48 at nbe 15 d annada Don Herrold 49 Michelle Bray omm ardin 16 Ronnie Kell Scott Fetgatter 50 Melissa Tilley Marcus McEntire 17 rian enegar Paul Marean 51 Charles L. Murdock ott iggs 18 onnie ondit 52 harles rtega 19 James Albert Campbell Justin JJ Humphrey organ o son 53 ar ride 20 Matt Failing obb leveland 54 Mary Newcome-Hatch Kevin West li abeth arios 21 David S. Northcutt ustin oberts 55 Wayne A. Walters odd uss 22 harles all 56 avid err man Chris Verser 23 Keith Welch Sr. err onnell 57 arold right 24 teve ou len 58 Carl Newton 25 David S. Weir odd homsen 59 i e anders 26 Nick Atwood Dell Kerbs 60 Dennis Purifoy Rhonda Baker 27 John Karlin osh o ro t 61 Ashlee Renee Ortiz ase urdo 28 Marilyn Rainwater om e ell 62 Larry Bush ohn i hael ontgomer 29 Macy Gleason Kyle Hilbert 63 Randy Batt e ood 30 Mark Lawson 64 Jacobi T. Crowley Rande Worthen 31 John B. Tiller ason ur he 65 Rick Gilleland ooter ar 32 Billy Hinton evin alla e 66 Dianna Phillips adine ollan 33 Caryl Talley Greg Babinec rin Adams 67 Lori Decter Wright Scott McEachin a avis 34 or illiams 68 len ulread TEXAS 61 Tulsa Metro BEAVER ELLIS HARMON HARPER ROGER MILLS BECKHAM GREER WOODWARD 52 JACKSON DEWEY CUSTER WASHITA KIOWA WOODS TILLMAN 58 MAJOR COMANCHE 63 ALFALFA BLAINE CADDO 65 COTTON CANADIAN GARFIELD 41 KINGFISHER GRADY GRANT STEPHENS JEFFERSON LOGAN CLEVELAND SEMINOLE MCCLAIN 42 GARVIN NOBLE OKLAHOMA KAY MURRAY 48 CARTER 49 LOVE 35 PAWNEE PAYNE33 32 LINCOLN POTTAWATOMIE 25 PONTOTOC 22 JOHNSTON MARSHALL 37 OSAGE 36 CREEK 29 OKFUSKEE HUGHES COAL BRYAN OKMULGEE 16 ATOKA WASHINGTON 11 TULSA 10 NOWATA ROGERS WAGONER 12 MCINTOSH CHOCTAW CRAIG 6 MAYES 8 CHEROKEE MUSKOGEE HASKELL PITTSBURG LATIMER 17 PUSHMATAHA OTTAWA 7 5 DELAWARE 86 ADAIR SEQUOYAH 2 LEFLORE 1 MCCURTAIN OKLAHOMA VOTER GUIDE

9 2016OKLAHOMA VOTERGUIDE SENATE DISTRICTS MAP Oklahoma City Metro DISTRICT DEMOCRAT REPUBLICAN OTHER DISTRICT DEMOCRAT REPUBLICAN OTHER 69 Paul Sullivan hu trohm 70 Joe Jennings Carol Bush amara orton 71 Millie Hardesty York atie en e 72 Monroe Nichols 73 egina ood in Leland Cole 74 Jeri Moberly Dale Derby 75 Karen Gaddis Dan Kirby 76 Glenda K. Puett avid rumbaugh 77 ri ro tor 78 Meloyde Blanchett Molly McKay ugene ell 79 eldon atson eresa arler 80 Tom Bates i e it e 81 Dan Myers Mike Osburn teve ong 82 ist arfield evin alve avid i erson 83 and aniel 84 Will Hollander Tammy West 85 ndi unson Matt Jackson 86 ill our iller Rhonda Hopkins hannon rimes 87 Collin Walke Bruce Lee Smith lle ollins 88 ason unnington 89 hane tone 90 on hols 91 Trey Puckett hris annad 92 Forrest Bennett oe ri fin 93 Mickey Dollens Jay Means 94 ott nman Jason Sansone 95 James J. Cook Roger Ford 96 e is oore 97 Jason Lowe Tonni Canaday 98 i hael ogers 99 eorge oung arina angiara ina 100 Donald Wentroth Jr. lise all hristina right 101 Cheryl Mooneyham-Hessman Tess Teague CIMARRON 36 TEXAS 27 Tulsa Metro BEAVER ELLIS HARMON HARPER ROGER MILLS BECKHAM GREER WOODWARD JACKSON DEWEY CUSTER 26 WASHITA 38 KIOWA WOODS TILLMAN STATE SENATOR MAJOR 32 COMANCHE ALFALFA BLAINE CADDO 31 COTTON CANADIAN GARFIELD GRADY GRANT KINGFISHER STEPHENS JEFFERSON 20 CLEVELAND MCCLAIN GARVIN 01 John Myers Micheal Bergstrom 03 Rhonda Cox a ne ha 05 Stacey Allen Ebert ose h il 07 Joel Kerns arr oggs 09 Jack A. Reavis Dewayne Pemberton 11 evin atthe s 12 James Leewright 13 Eric Hall Greg McCortney 15 ob tandridge ha n heehan 17 on har 19 Rhonda Harlow Roland Pederson hitne all 21 Tom J. Dugger 23 Larry Wasson Lonnie Paxton 25 Robert Founds Joe Newhouse 27 r e arlatt 29 Robert Jobe Julie Daniels 31 Perry Brinegar Chris Kidd 33 Kimberly Fobbs athan ahm 35 ar tanisla s i ran rove 37 Lloyd W. Snow an e berr ha n et her 39 John Waldron Dave Rader 41 Kevin McDonald Adam Pugh i hard ra d iens i 43 Leah Pollan Paul Scott 45 le oveless 47 Judy Mullen Hopper reg reat teven eber NOBLE LOGAN OKLAHOMA 16 KAY MURRAY 14 CARTER LOVE 21 PAYNE LINCOLN 28 POTTAWATOMIE PAWNEE SEMINOLE 13 PONTOTOC JOHNSTON MARSHALL 10 OSAGE CREEK 12 OKFUSKEE HUGHES COAL 6 BRYAN OKMULGEE ATOKA WASHINGTON TULSA 8 NOWATA 29 ROGERS 2 MCINTOSH PITTSBURG CHOCTAW 9 MUSKOGEE CRAIG 1 MAYES 18 WAGONER 7 CHEROKEE HASKELL LATIMER 5 PUSHMATAHA OTTAWA DELAWARE 3 ADAIR SEQUOYAH 4 LEFLORE MCCURTAIN 2016 OKLAHOMA VOTER GUIDE 7

10 THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS Why The State Questions Are Important There will be seven state questions on the November 2016 ballot, giving voters an opportunity to decide the fate of proposed amendments to the Oklahoma Constitution and statutes. You may wonder why Oklahoma asks voters to decide policy issues. Oklahoma s Constitution provides that these important decisions may be made by the people; these ballot measures are presented to voters by either an initiative petition (requiring signatures) or legislative referendum (a vote by the legislature referring the question to registered voters). You ve probably heard the phrase Let the people decide. The outcome of voting on state questions can have a big impact on how the state conducts its business, and that directly affects the people who live in the state. Voting on state questions is sometimes said to be direct democracy. It s one of the only ways that we the people have an opportunity to make or change public policy STATE QUESTIONS SQ776 Death Penalty...9 SQ777 Agriculture...10 SQ779 Education Funding Tax SQ780 Law Enforcement...12 SQ781 Criminal Rehabilitation SQ790 Religion & the State...14 SQ792 Alcohol OKLAHOMA VOTER GUIDE

11 2016OKLAHOMA VOTERGUIDE Death Penalty STATEQUESTION BALLOT TITLE his measure adds a ne se tion to the lahoma onstitution, e tion A o Arti le he ne e tion deals ith the death enalt he e tion establishes tate onstitutional man dates relating to the death penalty and methods o e e ution nder these onstitutional re uirements he egislature is e ressl em o ered to designate an method o e e ution not rohibited b the nited tates onstitution eath senten es shall not be redu ed be ause a method o e e ution is ruled to be invalid hen an e e ution method is de lared invalid, the death enalt im osed shall remain in or e until it an be arried out using an valid e e ution method, and The imposition of a death enalt under lahoma la as distinguished from a method of e e ution shall not be deemed to be or onstitute the in i tion o ruel or unusual unishment under lahoma s onstitution, nor to ontravene an rovision o the lahoma onstitution SUMMARY 776 State Question 776 does two things: it addresses the method of execution for an inmate on death row, and it states that the death penalty shall not be deemed cruel and unusual punishment. If the proposal is approved, a new section would be added to the Oklahoma Constitution that allows the state to continue to impose the death penalty, even if a specific method of execution becomes unavailable. Death sentences would remain in eff ect until they can be carried out by any method not prohibited by the US Constitution. If approved, the constitutional amendment would apply to the state constitution but not the federal constitution or courts applying federal law. he Oklahoma death penalty law, enacted in 1976, has been consistently applied by Oklahoma elected offi cials: the state executed 191 men and three women between 1915 and 2014 at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary (eighty-two by electrocution, one by hanging, and 111 by lethal injection). Statutes specifically allow gas inhalation, electrocution, and firing squad as backups to the primary form of execution by lethal injection. PROPONENTS SAY: In October 2015, Oklahoma suspended executions for a review of lethal injection protocols. One of the drugs most commonly used for lethal injection is sodium thiopental, which is no longer manufactured in the United States. In 2011, the European Commission imposed restrictions on the export of certain drugs used for lethal injections in the United States. As a result, many states no longer have the drugs used to carry out lethal injection. Oklahoma has turned to other drugs as a substitute for sodium thiopental. However, recent instances of executions around the country in which alternative drugs were used may have produced adverse outcomes. he death penalty is legal in thirty-one states, and illegal in nineteen. FOR MORE INFORMATION thinktwiceok.com YES BOTHSIDES supremecourt.gov/opinions/14pdf/ _aplc.pdf (The U.S. Supreme Court Opinion Allowing Use of Execution Drug) OPPONENTS SAY: NO Shall The Proposal Be Approved? FOR THE PROPOSAL YES AGAINST THE PROPOSAL NO The death penalty is legal in Oklahoma and has a history o su ort rom o fi ials and the general ubli he state s abilit to arr it out must be rote ted at a higher, onstitutional level here is a han e that ertain drugs used in lethal in e tions, or even the use o lethal in e tion itsel, ill be ruled un onstitutional lahoma needs o tions so that the death enalt an ontinue to be used he state o lahoma should have more e ibilit to designate and use an available, legal method o e e ution lahomans are in reasingl o osed to the death enalt, iting in onsistent a li ation o it as a unishment, a re eren e or li e senten es, and the in reasing re uen o e onerations his measure ould ma e it mu h more di fi ult to rule lahoma s death enalt un onstitutional and ould ma e use o barbari ra ti es su h as the firing s uad more li el he amendment s onl ur ose is to undermine the urrent moratorium resulting rom the re ent mista es in the administration o the lethal drug method o e e ution 2016 OKLAHOMA VOTER GUIDE 9

12 Agriculture STATEQUESTION 777 BALLOT TITLE This measure adds Section 38 to Article II of the Oklahoma Constitution. The new Section creates state constitutional rights. It creates the following guaranteed rights to engage in farming and ranching: The right to make use of agricultural technology, The right to make use of livestock procedures, and The right to make use of ranching practices. These constitutional rights receive extra protection under this measure that not all constitutional rights receive. This extra protection is a limit on lawmakers ability to interfere with the exercise of these rights. Under this extra protection, no law can interfere with these rights, unless the la is ustified b a om elling state interest a learl identified state interest of the highest order. Additionally, the law must be necessary to serve that compelling state interest. The measure and the protections identified above do not a l to and do not impact state laws related to: Trespass, Eminent domain, Dominance of mineral interests, Easements, Right of way or other property rights, and Any state statutes and political subdivision ordinances enacted before December 31, Shall The Proposal Be Approved? FOR THE PROPOSAL YES AGAINST THE PROPOSAL NO OKLAHOMA VOTER GUIDE SUMMARY If the proposal is approved, the measure would prevent lawmakers from passing legislation to regulate agriculture unless there is a compelling state interest. he proposal would forbid the state of Oklahoma from regulating the use of agricultural technology, livestock procedures, and ranching practices. he standard of compelling state interest is a key component to the question because it sets a very high standard for a law to be judged. If passed, the proposal would apply to any democratically elected body that can trace its creation to the state legislature, including county and city governments, but not school boards. Federal laws would not be impacted; current state laws about farming and ranching would be grandfathered in, and would not be repealed by this amendment. Grandfathered laws could be amended or repealed in the future. Similar proposals have been presented to voters in other states, first in North Dakota. A similar amendment passed in Missouri in 2014; another amendment was considered in Nebraska earlier this year but was PROPONENTS SAY: The amendment would shield Oklahoma farmers and ranchers from needless red tape and attacks from out-of-state special interests, overzealous environmentalists, animal rights advocates, and other groups who promote stricter regulation of agriculture. The amendment may protect farm-related jobs and could provide long-lasting protection for farming and ranching families who don t have a lot of resources. Family farmers and ranchers work hard to pass their farm on to the next generation. This amendment would help ensure that transition to the next generation by giving farmers and ranchers another tool to defend themselves from onerous laws and regulations in the future. not approved by legislators for a vote of the people. Oklahoma s State Question 777 is inspired in part by opponents of Proposition 2 in California. Proposition 2 required certain farm animals to be able to lie down, stand up, fully extend limbs, and turn around freely. SQ 777 is unique in that it added the compelling state interest clause. Oklahoma s top agricultural products in revenue are cattle, hogs, poultry, wheat, and dairy. Agriculture is the state s fourteenth highest economic sector, accounting for less than 2 percent of GDP, (higher than agriculture s national rate.) For decades, as technology and yields have advanced, the number of agricultural jobs and farms has declined. Nine in ten Oklahoma crop and animal operations are owned by private citizens, many of whom contract with larger corporations. FOR MORE INFORMATION oklahomarighttofarm.com YES BOTHSIDES votenoon777.com and okfoodfarmfamily.com kirkpatrickfoundation.com/sq777-right-to-farm OPPONENTS SAY: NO The amendment, introduced by out-of-state Big Ag entities, is contrary to the ideals of democracy and representative government and would remove the rights of Oklahoma voters by putting agricultural lawmaking into the hands of the judiciary and large corporate enterprises that have the resources to wage long-term legal battles. The amendment is designed to protect large-scale, corporateindustrial farms often owned by foreign entities rather than to defend the heritage and rights of small Oklahoma farmers. It gives free rein to industrial agriculture and factory farms to pollute the water and environment and erode local economies. Serious, unintended consequences could give puppy mills, cock fighters, and a tor arm em lo ees li ense to treat vulnerable creatures with cruelty.

13 2016OKLAHOMA VOTERGUIDE Education Funding Tax STATEQUESTION 779 BALLOT TITLE This measure adds a new Article to the Oklahoma Constitution. The article creates a limited purpose fund to increase funding for public education. It increases State sales and use taxes by one cent per dollar to provide revenue for the fund. The revenue to be used for public education shall be allocated: 69.50% for common school districts, 19.25% for the institutions under the authority of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, 3.25% for the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, and 8% for the State Department of Education. It requires teacher salary increases funded by this measure raise teacher salaries by at least $5,000 over the salaries paid in the year prior to adoption of this measure. It requires an annual audit of school districts use of monies. It prohibits school districts use of these funds for increasing superintendents salaries or adding superintendent positions. It requires that monies from the fund not supplant or replace other educational funding. If the Oklahoma Board of Equalization determines funding has been replaced, the Legislature may not make any appropriations until the amount of replaced funding is returned to the fund. The article takes effect on July 1 after its passage. Shall The Proposal Be Approved? FOR THE PROPOSAL YES AGAINST THE PROPOSAL NO SUMMARY If this proposal is approved, Article 8-C would be added to the Oklahoma Constitution creating a limited purpose fund the Education Improvement Fund. An increase of the sales and use tax by one cent on the dollar would provide revenue for the fund. School districts that benefit from the fund would be subject to an annual audit. Funds generated by the tax cannot be used to replace other state funding of common, higher, career and technology, and early childhood education. he provisions of the new article require a minimum $5,000 salary increase for teachers over the salaries paid in the year prior to adoption. he funds generated would not be used to increase the salaries of school superintendents or to add superintendent positions. Oklahoma s average compensation for teachers, including salary and benefits, is $44,921. According to the National Education Association, Oklahoma ranks 49th in the nation in teacher pay. PROPONENTS SAY: There is no greater need in Oklahoma than the adequate funding of education for our children. As of 2016, the Oklahoma Legislature has not approved an across-theboard salary increase for teachers in eight years. The measure would ensure a guaranteed source of additional education funds that cannot be used for other purposes by the legislature. The proposed salary increase would be permanent, not a one-time bonus. This would aid in the recruitment of new teachers and retention of experienced teachers. A section within the new article to the state constitution establishes that monies collected would be distributed as follows: 69.5 percent to common education > percent of common education funding would be used to provide teachers with a minimum $5,000 raise and otherwise address or prevent teacher and certified instruction staff shortages. > percent of common education funding would be used to adopt or expand, but not maintain, programs, opportunities or reforms for improving reading in early grades, improving high school graduation rates, and increasing college and career readiness percent to higher education 3.25 percent to career and technology education 8 percent to early childhood education FOR MORE INFORMATION sos.ok.gov/documents/questions/779.pdf ocpaimpact.com yesfor779.org YES BOTHSIDES OPPONENTS SAY: NO A sales tax disproportionately impacts lower-income people, a concern especially in Oklahoma, whose poverty rate is higher than the national average. If approved, SQ 779 would set a harmful precedent in public policy making by weakening the state legislature s obligation to fund education adequately. Higher state sales taxes would hurt city governments ability to raise or maintain their own sales taxes, on which they rely heavil to a or servi es su h as oli e and fire rote tion and water, sanitation, and streets services OKLAHOMA VOTER GUIDE 11

14 Law Enforcement STATEQUESTION BALLOT TITLE This measure amends existing Oklahoma laws and would change the lassifi ation o ertain drug possession and property crimes from felony to misdemeanor. It would make possession of a limited quantity of drugs a misdemeanor. The amendment also changes the lassifi ation o ertain drug possession crimes which are currently considered felonies and cases where the defendant has a prior drug possession conviction. The proposed amendment would reclassify these drug possession cases as misdemeanors. The amendment would increase the threshold dollar amount used for determining whether certain property crimes are considered a felony or misdemeanor. Currently, the threshold is $500. The amendment would increase the amount to $1000. Property crimes covered by this change include; false declaration of a pawn ticket, embezzlement, larceny, grand larceny, theft, receiving or concealing stolen property, taking domesticated fi s h o r g a m e, r a u d, o r g e r, counterfeiting, or issuing bogus checks. This measure would become effective July 1, Shall The Measure Be Approved? FOR THE MEASURE YES AGAINST THE MEASURE NO OKLAHOMA VOTER GUIDE SUMMARY 780 If the measure is approved, State Question 780 would reclassify certain off enses, such as simple drug possession and property crimes, as misdemeanors rather than felonies. he reclassification of the drug possession off ense is intended to be applied to persons who use the drugs, not to those who are selling or manufacturing the drugs. he measure also would change the dollar amount threshold for property crimes charged as felonies from $500 to $1,000. he goal of this measure is to reduce the size of the state s prison population and to reduce the amount of state funds being spent on prisons. SQ 780 proposes to change Oklahoma statutes, not the constitution. According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice in 2014, Oklahoma had the second highest incarceration rate in the nation at 700 inmates per 100,000 U.S. residents. Oklahoma also had the highest incarceration rate for women that year. he total correctional population of a state includes people incarcerated and on probation or parole. PROPONENTS SAY: If the measure is approved, SQ 780 would result in reduced prison populations, which would reduce costs to taxpayers. Treating drug addicts through appropriate rehabilitation and mental health services is more effective than placing them in jail or prison. The prison system does little to equip drug offenders to successfully re-enter society, which increases their chances of recidivism. Misdemeanor charges would carry a punishment of up to one year in jail. Prosecutors would continue to have discretion as to whether to pursue a drug case as simple possession or as possession with intent to distribute. he Oklahoma Department of Corrections indicated in August 2016 that the prison system was at 104 percent of its capacity with 27,097 inmates being held. Drug off enders comprise 26.3 percent of inmates. Another 23.3 percent of inmates are imprisoned for other nonviolent crimes. According to the Oklahoma DOC 2015 annual report, the Oklahoma prison population has increased by 22.6 percent since In fiscal year 2016, the Oklahoma legislature appropriated $485 million to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. If the measure is approved, the changes proposed would not be retroactive. Sentences for current inmates would not change. FOR MORE INFORMATION okjusticereform.org ok.gov/dac YES BOTHSIDES OPPONENTS SAY: NO Reducing the charges for possession of drugs, such as methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin, along with date rape drugs, (from a felony to a misdemeanor) could endanger the citizens of the state. There are certain situations in which the possession of drugs, especially more powerful substances, needs to be considered a felony. If the measure is approved, county jail populations could increase from the number of misdemeanor offenders being charged. County jails are not adequately equipped or funded to handle an increase in jail population. Eliminating felony possession charges would reduce the incentive for those charged with drug crimes to complete treatment programs and would weaken prosecutors leverage in cases involving more serious offenses.

15 2016OKLAHOMA VOTERGUIDE Criminal Rehabilitation 781 STATEQUESTION BALLOT TITLE his measure reates the ount ommunit a et nvestment und, onl i voters a rove tate uestion 7 0, the lahoma mart usti e e orm A t his measure ould reate a und, onsisting o an al ulated savings or averted osts that a rued to the tate rom the im lementation o the lahoma mart usti e e orm A t in re lassi ing ertain ro ert rimes and drug ossession as misdemeanors he measure re uires the fi e o anagement and nter rise ervi es to use either a tual data or its best estimate to determine ho mu h mone as saved on a earl basis he amount determined to be saved must be de osited into the und and distributed to ounties in ro ortion to their o ulation to rovide ommunit rehabilitative rograms, su h as mental health and substan e abuse servi es his measure ill not be ome e e tive i tate uestion 7 0, the lahoma mart usti e e orm A t, is not a roved b the eo le he measure ill be ome e e tive on ul immediatel ollo ing its assage Shall The Measure Be Approved? FOR THE MEASURE YES AGAINST THE MEASURE NO SUMMARY he implementation of State Question 781 is contingent on the passage of State Question 780 (see opposite page). If SQ 781 is approved by voters, but SQ 780 is not, none of the changes described in SQ 781 will be enacted. If both measures are approved, SQ 781 would create the County Community Safety Investment Fund. hat fund would hold any cost savings achieved by reducing numbers of people incarcerated a decrease resulting from reclassifying certain property crimes and drug possession as misdemeanors. he new Investment Fund would be a revolving fund not subject to fiscal year limitations. Any savings or averted costs would be calculated by the Offi ce of Management and Enterprise Services. If savings are determined, the legislature would be required to appropriate that amount from the general fund to the County Community Safety Investment Fund. PROPONENTS SAY: he measure ould rovide a a to finan e mental health and drug rehabilitation servi es at the ount level or iti ens ho might other ise be im risoned under urrent la s ata indi ate that treatment rograms or lo level o enders are more e e tive than in ar eration in reventing re idivism he money must be used for county rehabilitative programs, including those that address mental health and substance abuse, or provide job training or education. he money would be distributed to Oklahoma counties in proportion to their population. h e Offi ce of Management and Enterprise Services will use actual data or make its best estimate when calculating cost savings per year. Its calculation would be final and would not be adjusted because of subsequent changes in underlying data. he intent of SQ 781 is to focus on root causes of criminal behavior such as addiction and mental health problems, as opposed to placing more people charged with lower-level off enses behind bars. FOR MORE INFORMATION: okjusticereform.org ok.gov/dac YES BOTHSIDES OPPONENTS SAY: he revenue stream or the ount ommunit a et und is not guaranteed he monies are sub e t to a ro riation b the legislature o ering ossession to misdemeanors ill remove o enders ear o going to rison a ear that is an in entive or them to arti i ate in drug ourt NO 2016 OKLAHOMA VOTER GUIDE 13

16 Religion & the State STATEQUESTION 790 BALLOT TITLE This measure would remove Article 2, Section 5 of the Oklahoma Constitution, which prohibits the government from using public money or property or the dire t or indire t benefit o an religion or religious institution. Article 2, Section 5 has been interpreted by the Oklahoma courts as requiring the removal of a Ten Commandments monument from the grounds of the State Capitol. If this measure repealing Article 2, Section 5 is passed, the government would still be required to comply with the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution, which is a similar constitutional provision that prevents the government from endorsing a religion or becoming overly involved with religion. Shall The Proposal Be Approved? SUMMARY State Question 790 addresses public funding and property use regarding the separation of church and state. It is a proposal to repeal a section of the state s constitution. If the measure is approved, Article 2, Section 5 of the Oklahoma Constitution would be repealed. By removing this section, public expenditure or property use for religious purposes would not be explicitly prohibited. Under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. Under the Oklahoma Constitution s Article 2, Section 5, state money or property cannot be used directly or indirectly to support a church, sect, denomination, or system of religion. his state question is a response to recent controversy over display of the Ten Commandments monument on the grounds of the Oklahoma State Capitol. In 2009, the Ten Commandments Monument Display Act was passed by the state legislature and, three years later, a privately donated Ten Commandments monument was erected on the grounds of the State Capitol. Lawsuits followed, and by June 2015, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled the monument s placement on state property was unconstitutional, ordering that it be removed. he basis for the court s decision was Article 2, Section 5 of the Oklahoma State Constitution. In October 2015, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin called on the legislature to repeal that section of the state constitution in order to allow the monument at the State Capitol. FOR MORE INFORMATION aclu.org/issues/religious-liberty/free-exercise-religion johnpauljordan.com/john-paul-news FOR THE PROPOSAL YES AGAINST THE PROPOSAL NO PROPONENTS SAY: YES BOTHSIDES OPPONENTS SAY: NO The Oklahoma Supreme Court s interpretation of Article 2, Section 5 in the Ten Commandments case can potentially make our state hostile to religion and have damaging impacts on our counties, cities, and school districts. Religious liberty should allow the placement of the monument on the grounds of the State Capitol. If approved, the repeal would remove an obstacle to the state allowing religious institutions to participate in public programs on an equal basis with non-religious institutions. Passage of SQ 790 would open the state to expensive federal lawsuits that the Oklahoma Attorney General would have to defend at the expense of Oklahoma taxpayers. Passage of SQ 790 would affect many areas of religious freedom, including state money and property being a ro riated or s e ifi religious ur oses, in luding religion-based schools or activities. The state could be faced with proposals from other religions and religious groups to place their own monuments on public property or grounds, leading to di fi ult and divisive de isions and la suits OKLAHOMA VOTER GUIDE

17 2016OKLAHOMA VOTERGUIDE Alcohol STATEQUESTION BALLOT TITLE This measure repeals Article 28 of the Oklahoma Constitution and restructures the laws governing alcoholic beverages through a new Article 28A and other laws the Legislature will create if the measure passes. The new Article 28A provides that with exceptions, a person or company can have an ownership interest in only one area of the alcoholic beverage business-manufacturing, wholesaling, or retailing. Some restrictions apply to the sales of manufacturers, brewers, winemakers, and wholesalers. Subject to limitations, the Legislature may authorize direct shipments to consumers of wine. Retail locations like grocery stores may sell wine and beer. Liquor stores may sell products other than alcoholic beverages in limited amounts. The Legislature must create licenses for retail locations, liquor stores, and places serving alcoholic beverages and may create other licenses. Certain licensees must meet residency requirements. Felons cannot be licensees. The Legislature must designate days and hours when alcoholic beverages may be sold and may impose taxes on sales. Municipalities may levy an occupation tax. If authorized, a state lodge may sell individual alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption but no other state involvement in the alcoholic beverage business is allowed. With one exception, the measure will take effect October 1, Shall The Proposal Be Approved? FOR THE PROPOSAL YES AGAINST THE PROPOSAL NO SUMMARY 792 If the proposal is approved, it would repeal Article 28 of the Oklahoma Constitution and replace it with Article 28A, which restructures the laws governing alcohol. If approved, the measure will go into eff ect on October 1, Currently, under Oklahoma law, liquor stores can sell full-strength, unrefrigerated beer but cannot sell cold beer or chilled wine. Liquor stores can sell wine and spirits but no other items. Grocery and convenience stores can sell cold low-point beer (3.2 percent alcohol by weight) but not spirits, wine, or high-point beer. State Question 792 would change the current PROPONENTS SAY: Oklahoma s alcoholic beverages laws are Prohibition-era laws and need to be modernized. Passage of SQ 792 would provide Oklahomans with the same level of access to wine and beer as consumers in forty-five other states and would allow customers to purchase wine and cold beer more conveniently throughout the state at all levels of retail. State tax dollars are being driven to other states where alcohol laws allow the sale of high-point beer and wine in grocery stores. alcohol laws to allow grocery, convenience, and drug stores to sell cold, high-point beer (up to 8.99 percent alcohol by volume) and wine (up to 15 percent alcohol by volume). Liquor stores would be allowed to sell cold beer and any item that also may be purchased in a grocery store or convenience store except motor fuel in limited amounts. Liquor or spirits will still only be available for purchase from licensed retail liquor stores. FOR MORE INFORMATION conveniencecosts.com yeson792.com YES BOTHSIDES OPPONENTS SAY: NO The additional competition from grocery and convenience stores would hurt the state s independent liquor retailers. Many current retail liquor stores would go out of business, resulting in job losses and inconveniencing consumers, especially those in smaller cities. Allowing grocery and convenience stores to sell strong beer and wine would concentrate more power in the hands of fewer corporate owners, reduce competition, and result in higher prices. SQ 792 contains language that would allow out-of-state distributors to buy controlling interests in wholesalers and then designate themselves as the sole wholesale distributor of any product they represent. Retailers would not be able to choose between competing wholesalers but would have to buy each product from only one particular wholesaler OKLAHOMA VOTER GUIDE 15